Outage leads to quiet start for Rochester Fair: But once power came back, things were smashing

Saturday

Sep 15, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By MICHELLE KINGSTONmkingston@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — The evening started out with a bang at the 137th Rochester Fair this evening.

Well, almost.

Ambassador of the Fair Joel Sherburne wasn't able to make his grand announcements at 4 p.m. after riding onto the fairgrounds in a 1940 Ford because the power was out around the main gate off Lafayette Street in Rochester.

Although the power came back within the first hour of the fair, a transformer off Union Street near Hervey's Tire overheated later in the night, worrying Public Works and local firefighters that some of the city and the fairgrounds could lose power if it were to explode.

Rochester Fire Capt. Paul LaClair was unaware of the exact time of the call on the transformer overheating, but said it was discovered by Rochester firefighters who were heading back to the station after putting out a fire at 6 North Main Street.

"Someone noticed it was smoking," he said.

Rochester Fire Assistant Chief Mark DuPuis said they are coordinating with Public Works to determine an answer to why and how the transformer could be overheating.

"Our concern is it will go down, putting out power in the downtown area, including the fairgrounds," he said.

When asked if the electricity from the fair could be causing the problem, DuPuis said he was not sure. He did note that a transformer overheated near the Route 103 restaurant at the same time last year.

Dupuis said Public Works will coordinate with the fairgrounds, firefighters and police officers to create a plan of action in case of emergency.

"But right now, there is still power," he said.

There is also still a fair.

Hundreds of visitors from around New England attended the fair Friday night, taking advantage of the warm September weather and to watch the school bus demolition derby — the first of its kind in Rochester.

Charlene Turgeon, of South Berwick, Maine, came with her boyfriend and her son this year to see the derby.

"The big draw for tonight is the school bus demolition derby. I've seen demolition derbies, but I've never seen school bus demolition derbies, so that is something we are definitely sticking around for," she said.

The school bus demolition derby took place in the grandstand a little past its start time of 7 p.m. The bleachers were so packed that many visitors who purchased their $5 tickets had to stand to watch the event.

Seven full-sized 66-passenger school buses lined the tracks, each representing a different school. The buses came from a Boston school district and were purchased for $6,000 each, said the announcer.

Valley View Community School, Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy, McLelland Elementary, School Street School, Somersworth Middle School and Chamberlain Street School sponsored a bus. Children from these schools were in the audience.

The announcer said whichever school cheered the loudest would receive the $500 grand prize.

The crowd screamed, "Start your engines!" and the buses all began to back up, ramming into each other, causing dents, crushing windows, breaking off tires and squishing the buses throughout the session. Each time a bus hit another, the crowd laughed and cheered, encouraging the buses to keep going.

"It is so cool!" said Tyler Hamilton from Saco, Maine. "My question is, why don't they do this at school?" he joked.

Both Somersworth Middle School and the School Street School won the derby.

Aside from the main event, visitors chowed down on snowcones, cotton candy, fried oreos and hot dogs. They were also able to go on as many rides as they wanted for free, paying only the flat $12 general admission charge.

"It is the second year we've done this," said Sherburne, noting it was such a success last year that they decided to do it again.

Fairgoers used to have to pay for admission and then purchase a bracelet to go on the rides. This year, attendees pay $12 and enjoy all the free entertainment. The only additional fees are food and grandstand access to derbies.

"When the sun goes down and the lights come up and the fair takes on that 'It's a fair' feel, it's definitely like a kick into fall," said Turgeon.

The fair lights were still bright at the end of the night, but firefighters remained close by Union Street, ready to tend to the transformer if needed.

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